Robert Forbes Harkins died Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community in Asheville, NC from natural causes. He was the husband of Louise Graves Harkins who preceded him in death in 1989 after 49 years of marriage. They have one daughter, Elizabeth and son-in-law, Dr. Roderick Biosca of Johnson City, Tennessee; one grandson, Dr. Roderick Biosca, Jr. and his wife, Hannah Stout Biosca of Birmingham, Alabama.
Bob, the son of the late Percy Stoner and Myra Perrin Harkins, was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Herbert Perrin Harkins. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, John Graves; two sister-in-laws: Sue Graves of Greenwood, SC and Anne Harkins of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.
Bob was a graduate of Lower Marion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, attended Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania and graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. His professional career began with Montgomery Ward and was interrupted by World War II. He attended the U.S. Navy Communications School at Harvard University in 1943 before becoming the Squadron Communication USN officer aboard Flagship U.S.S. Newcomb. His fleet patrolled in the Pacific and participated in operations in Saipan, Palau, Leyte, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. The U.S.S. Newcomb (DD586) attacked Japanese fleets and assisted in sinking Japanese submarines, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. During one battle engagement, the U.S.S. Newcomb, the flagship of destroyer squadron 56, was hit by four (kamikaze) suicide planes. He was awarded and was recipient of numerous combat medals, ribbons, and letters of commendation.
In 1946, after being discharged from the Navy, Bob moved his family to Johnson City, Tennessee where he continued his career in the hardwood flooring business with Harris Manufacturing Company. He held various positions as he quickly rose to become sales manager where he remained until 1972. As a director he made significant contributions to the development, use and application of commercial mosaic-parquet hardwood introduced in the United States. His development in the flooring business led Bob to be sales manager of Stalker Lumber Company in Braintree, Massachusetts and eventually to director of Educational Lumber Company in Asheville, North Carolina.
Bob was an ambitious participant in numerous church, community, civic, and professional organizations. He was vice president and on the Board of Directors of the Johnson City Community of Chest and United Fund from 1956-1972. He was a member of the Johnson City Rotary Club and served as president during 1951-52. He was a board member of the Salvation Army from 1968-1972 rising to chairman in 1971-1972. He was a vestryman and junior warden of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnson City and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville. He was a past member and director of the Johnson City Country Club and a member of the Biltmore Forest Country Club. Bob loved opera, music, theatre, golf and his country. He was an officer and a gentleman. He was 92.
A memorial service will be held 3:00PM, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 in the St. Giles Chapel at Deerfield Retirement Community.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to: Care Partners, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803 and Children’s Advocate Center of the 1st. Judicial District, Myrtle Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601
